Improvement in swimming-baths



UNITED ASTATES PATRICK BRALLEY, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SWIMMING-BATHS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,l28, dated February 25, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PATRICK BRALLEY, of Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain Improvements in the Construction'and Arran gement of Floating Swimming-Baths, of which the following is a specification: o

The object of my invention is to provide a convenient swimming-bath, which may be regulated as to temperature and kept constantly clean and free from stagnant water. It is best adapted to a floating bath, although it may be used as a stationary bath.

The nature of my invention will be fully seen by reference to the accompanying drawin g, which forms a part of this specification.

Figure lis a transverse section, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section, showing the construction and general arrangement of the swimming-bath.

A is` the hull or swimming-basin. B is a floor composed of slats or strips so arranged as to allow free circulation of water up through every part of the same. C represents the sleepers upon which the floor is laid. D represents a system of steam-pipes laid closely in parallel lines, and connected with return couplings so as to form va continuous passage to all parts of the bottom of the basin beneath the floor B. The pipe E connects the pipe D with the boiler K, and the pipe F is a continuation of the pipe D, which is brought up and passed around near the top of the basin A for the purpose of warmin g. the same. G is a pipe leading from the boiler to the bottom of the basin A, and is designed to assist vin cleansing the bottom by agitating the water and loosening up the sediment. H represents the steps-leading down into the water of the basin A. The pipe J leads from the boiler K to the cylinder L, which connects with the crank for the purpose of imparting motion to the propeller N by means of the chain-wheels O andl? and chain It. The gate Vis for closing the propeller-tube T when the propeller N is not in motion. S `represents the gate designed to allow the egress of the water. U represents the hulls or buoys designed to buoy the swimming-bath andregulate the depth of water in the same. W represents theA railing around the basin. X represents doors opening to dressingclosets; and Y represents the inclosure inclosing the whole, and extending over the deck of the buoys.

The following is the operation of the bath: The steam being passed through the pipe E, down into the pipe D, under the floor B, warms the water in the basin A; the heated water passing up through the door mixes with the cool water above until the required temperature is secured. The pipe F heats the rim of the basin so as to make the door comfortable to the feet of the bathers. Should the water inthe basin become too warm, the gates V and S may-be opened, and the propeller N will displace a little warm with cool water, thus regulating the temperature, as required. When the water has been used so as to need changing, the gates V and S are opened, and the propeller N set in motion by the engine, forcing the pure water in from the outside, and the water in the basin flows out atthe gate S. The steam is at the same time passed through the pipe Gr, down to the bottom, for the purpose of agitating and loosening the sediment from the bottom. When the water has been all replaced by pure water from the outside,the gates V and S are closed and the steam again passed into the pipe D from the boiler K, again warming the water to the required temperature. By this arrangement a clean and warm swimmingbath is secured at all seasons of the year, and an excellent advantage is given to learn to swim without danger. I do not claim as new any of the separate mechanical devices, for they have all been used for different purposes 5 but What I do claim .as my invention, sire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. t,The basin A, constructed with a slatted and de- -loor to admit the circulation of water up through the same,when underlaid with a steampipe, D, and operated by means of the boiler K and steam-pipe E, substantially as and ,for the purposes set forth.

2. rlhe propeller N, and gates V and S, and the steam-pipe'Gr, when operated substantially `as and for the purpose set forth.

PATRICK BRALLEY.

Witnesses J. J. GARDINER,

A. KOENIG. 

